Lawyer for Chairman Wontumi seeks leave of court to cross-examine witness again

The lawyer for former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, has petitioned the High Court in Accra for permission to re-examine a witness in the illegal mining trial at Tano Nimire Forest Reserve. This request comes after the Attorney-General concluded its case against the accused, who is being prosecuted for aiding illegal mining activities.

The court has granted Mr. Akyea until October 30 to file the motion to recall the witness. The trial was adjourned to November 4 for the motion to be presented. Prosecutors had called three witnesses to support their case, with the final witness, a police detective, testifying that Chairman Wontumi aided illegal mining at the reserve.

The detective suggested that Wontumi never personally operated any machinery on the concession, but acknowledged that he facilitated the actions of others. Chairman Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining, face numerous charges including aiding illegal mining, felling trees without proper authorization, and operating a mining operation without a license. The trial will continue on November 4.